Swifix

Swifix fixings have been on the market for 2 years since their launch, and has seen continued growth the insulated render sector. Specifically designed and engineered for refitting and installing both lightweight and heavy items through EWI systems. Ensuring the integrity of the EWI system as well as providing a cost effective and maintenance- free solution, the fixings can be used during or after system installation.

Historically best practice relied on the use of timber for re-fixing external items back through EWI systems, which can contribute to cold spots and disturb the continuous insulation characteristics. This can create performance issues for the system with the longer-term degradation of the timber also a potential problem.

The Swifix range was developed exactly for these reasons as we did not feel the use of timber pattresses for fixing items back through insulation was in the best interests of the quality of the EWI install; an issue addressed as an area of concern and reported in the Governments Hansford and Bonfield reports……..

We sought feedback from system designers who welcomed the innovation and felt the products were a simple and effective solution. Tested by the BRE for strength, compression and load, the fixings are manufactured from high quality recycled plastic and provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to enhance newly installed external wall insulation.

It is important that the re-fixing of items are considered as part of the tender process, with an approved product being used, therefore protecting guarantees and warranties. Therefore, we were keen to get the fixings incorporated into standard specifications. Previously fixing solutions have falling between installers and system designers causing ambiguity and confusion in the industry on who is responsible in the event of failure.

However, since the introduction of PAS2030 in 2017 and soon Pas2035, there has been a slow change in the sector in considering the implications of the solutions currently used and we have been approached by three system designers for the fixings to be included as part of their systems, with a further 15 installers recommending their use. With the introduction of PAS2035, we hope to see the complete elimination in the use of timber pattresses and fixing systems such as Swifix becoming best practice.

What is a little ironic, is that whilst designed with the refurbishment market as the initial core target, the majority of our sales are in the new build sector both traditional and modular.